discipleship: the difference between
FULLNESS AND FAILURE "Then [Elisha] left and followed Elijah as his attendant." —1 Kings 19:21
The culmination of Elijah's earth-shaking ministry was when he heard God whisper to him to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha (1 Kgs 19:15-16). Personally, Elijah anointed only Elisha. The other two anointings were done by Elisha, Elijah's disciple, and by another disciple of Elisha. Elijah's great mission was completed by discipleship (see 1 Kgs 19:21).
When Jesus was hanging on the cross before His death, he commanded one of His disciples, representing all His disciples, to accept Mary as the mother of all His disciples (see Jn 19:27). Shortly before He ascended into heaven, Jesus commanded all His disciples to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19). The culmination and completion of the mission of Jesus is by discipleship.
The Lord has an amazing plan for your life. Will this plan be done fully? That depends on how well you make disciples of your children, family, fellow workers, friends, and other people the Lord has brought into your life. Be His disciple by His standards (see Lk 9:23-24), and make disciples of all nations.
Prayer: Father, make discipleship the priority for me that You want it to be.
Promise: "Say, 'Yes' when you mean 'Yes' and 'No' when you mean 'No.' Anything beyond that is from the evil one." —Mt 5:37
Praise: John and Linda discipled each of their eight children. Two of them are in the seminary preparing to be priests.
Reference: (It's not too late to plan a family vacation with the Lord at our Discipleship Center June 25-29. The theme of our teaching sessions is Faith and Vocations. Enjoy the beautiful setting in Adams County, Ohio. To register or for information, call 937-587-5464 or 513-373-2397 or visit www.presentationministries.com.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 27, 2018
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